Pictured MLA John Slater, Mayor Ron Hovanes and Regional Director Allan Patton.

Box culvert project to start December 1st to construct new underground water passage for a wider strip of highway. Road work to expand the highway with passing lanes will commence after March 15th, 2013. MOTI officials said all land purchases necessary have been completed. Road construction and paving should be complete by the fall.

Official release:

OLIVER – Work has begun on major improvements to Highway 97 between the towns of Oliver and Okanagan Falls. The current irrigation canal will be relocated in preparation for the addition of passing lanes in both directions for 1.5 kilometres.

Details:

• ·       This project is located between the towns of Oliver and Okanagan Falls, north of Gallagher Lake
• ·       Preliminary survey work started November 1, 2012, and the box culvert project by Dawson Construction is scheduled to be complete by March 15, 2013.
• ·       The new highway will provide four lanes with paved 2.6 metre centre median, 2.0 metre wide shoulders, rumble strips and roadside barrier as required.
• ·       The total cost of this project is $10 million.

Why This Matters:

• ·        Currently there are no passing lanes between Deadman Lake and Vaseux Lake over a 28 kilometre long section.
• ·        The new passing lanes will provide assured passing opportunities between Oliver and Okanagan Falls, as well as reduce delays, traffic queuing, and driver frustrations.
• ·        Wider shoulders will improve safety for all users of the highway including vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians.

Quote: “This project will make a huge difference to drivers between Oliver and Okanagan Falls. Almost 70 per cent of the existing road has no passing lanes, which can be frustrating. These improvements will mean a smoother, safer, and less stressful drive.”

-Boundary-Similkameen MLA John Slater